Dental home for children with special needs: A challenge to families

Abstract

Purpose To assess the oral health status and parental perceptions and challenges in acquiring a dental home for their children with special needs. Methods A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar. Results 302 questionnaires were completed by caregivers of children with special needs (response rate = 92%). More than 70% of children had developmental delay, 20% had musculoskeletal disabilities, and the rest had respiratory compromise on non-invasive ventilation, learning disability and visual and hearing disabilities. Moreover, 92% of the children had …